In Pictures: Relive the glory days of Cork's historic Savoy Cinema

The iconic Cork building, first opened in 1932, is being revived as a live music venue and cultural space

After a decade-long closure, Cork’s iconic Savoy is set to reopen as a live music venue and cultural space, marking a new chapter in the building’s long entertainment history.

The former Savoy Cinema first opened its doors to the public on May 12, 1932, ushering in a new era of entertainment for Corkonians. It was officially opened by the then Lord Mayor, Frank Daly, and was greeted with widespread excitement.

The front page of The Echo the following day captured the mood of the city, declaring: “The whole proceedings were marked by wonderful enthusiasm, coupled with very apparent manifestations of civic pride in this latest acquisition to the city’s attributes.” 

The Savoy, St Patrick Street, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins 22.01.2026

At the height of its popularity, the 1930s-built Savoy seated up to 2,300 cinema-goers. It later became a cornerstone venue for the Cork Film Festival after the event was established in the 1950s, drawing large crowds and international attention.

Over the decades, the festival welcomed a number of high-profile visitors to the city, including Virginia McKenna and Peter Finch for the Irish premiere of A Town Like Alice. Jean Seberg and June Thorburn also attended during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The Savoy closed as a cinema on January 31, 1975, following a final screening of Cops and Robbers, before reopening in later years as a mixed-use development incorporating retail, restaurant and entertainment spaces.

As a live music venue, the Savoy has previously hosted an eclectic line-up of performers, ranging from Count John McCormack and the Rolling Stones to Damon Albarn and Run DMC — a legacy the revived venue is now set to build upon.

Exterior view of the Savoy Cinema in 1973. 

Interior views of the Savoy Cinema Cork in 1973.

The atrium of the Savoy Cinema Cork in 1973. 

Crowds flock to the steps of the Savoy Cinema, Cork during Cork Film Festival. Supplied through Cork Film Festival. 

Vittorio de Sica Italian director of 'Bicycle Thieves' leaving the Savoy Cinema Cork. Supplied through Cork Film Festival.

Attendees of the Cork Film Festival at the Savoy Cinema in May 1956. Included are Noel Purcell and Liam Cosgrave, former Taoiseach. 

Children queue to see 'David Copperfield' at the Savoy Cinema, Cork city centre on January 23, 1936. 

Interior views of the Savoy Cinema Cork

Rolling Stones playing at the Savoy Cork on the 8th January 1965.

A poster hanging on the wall at St Patrick's Parish Hall, Tallow bringing back memories of when the poster was outside the Savoy in Cork in the late 1940's advertising a show when Frank Ryan was in concert there. ryan plaque. Picture: Denis Minihane.

A survivor of the Scott expedition pictured in Cork before a Savoy cinema film premiere in May, 1949